Comments on: Senate Dems Says They Won’t Seat Burris In Caucus — But Can They Keep Him Out Of The Senate?

By: FormerFed

FormerFed — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:09:11 +0000

Blago is proving himself to be a quite good politician. Appointing Burris is a stick in the eye to just about everyone – Fitz, Madigan, Obama, Reid and the other 49, etc. I haven’t read or heard of anything in the record that says the Senate (what a piss-poor leader Reid is – maybe Nevada will send him back to Nevada in 2010) can keep him out of the Senate. They may refuse him to be part of the Democratic Caucus, but don’t think they can keep him from the Senate.

In regards to Burris’ comment on the $14K contribution – all I heard him say was something about “Was it that much?”. BTW, I don’t have any idea how much I gave to Obama – I never added it up. Did any of you?

By: oldgold

oldgold — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 04:14:59 +0000

I don’t think the Senate has the ability to refuse to seat Burris.
Certainly not based on their distaste for the Governor that selected him.

By: MarkusQ

MarkusQ — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:56:13 +0000

Huh?

Why is it in the Franken / Coelman race all the experts seemed to be saying things like this:

Senate Democrats could reject GOP Sen. Norm Coleman’s re-election if Minnesota officials declare him the winner over rival Al Franken, sources tell Newsmax.

“I think the real issue is what the Senate will do,” Wall Street Journal writer John Fund told Newsmax.

Echoing that sentiment is Washington University political scientist Steven Smith, who told Minnesota Public Radio, “Ultimately, the Senate has complete authority to determine who was elected.”

…and now they’re all saying the exact opposite?

If the Senate had complete authority to decide who it’s members were a month or so ago, why did that authority suddenly go up in smoke?

– MarkusQ

By: Hugh

Hugh — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:06:38 +0000

okay, what is the blago rationale here?

It’s his way of saying Fuck you to all and sundry, including the citizens of Illinois. I think Blago who is famous instate for burning bridges just burned his last one with this.

By: bonkers

bonkers — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:00:45 +0000

Man, Bobby Rush, Burris, Blago, Daley, etc, it’s amazing that Obama was able to rise through the ranks in that toxic environment and remain virtually untainted. Impressive.

By: californiarealitycheck

californiarealitycheck — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:00:39 +0000

okay, what is the blago rationale here?

By: RAMA

RAMA — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:58:22 +0000

For the last eight years the GOP has enabled a bunch of thieves and criminals as the Bush Regime looted the nation, destroyed its credibility, and led us to economic ruin. The Democrats in Illinois are now doing the same thing with Blago. Roland Burris (whom I used to respect) and Bobby Rush ought to be ashamed of themselves for enthusiastically participating in Blago’s latest scam. This is yet another disgrace and reason my state will likely remain the moral laughing stock of the nation.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:58:19 +0000

I think the legislature could add the appointment to his bill of impeachment and probably nullify it.

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:45:16 +0000

Pete Williams says he doubts the Senate Democrats can keep Burris out, based on the same 8-1 SCOTUS decision in the Adam Clayton Powell case, when they said the Senate can determine if people meet the qualifications, but can’t deny someone the seat they’ve been elected to.

Seems like this rests with the IL SecState, Jesse White, who says he won’t certify the paperwork for the appointment to go forward. Probably Blago will sue to make him do that.

By: BayStateLibrul

BayStateLibrul — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:37:23 +0000

From the good jester Mercutio…

“A plague o’ both your houses”